Sri Lanka Hong Kong defeated four wickets and seven deliveries about in match no. 8 of the current Asia Cup 2025 in the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday 15 September. With this victory, the Lankans went on top of group B with a game to play. They have also become the first team of their group to qualify for the Super Four phases, while there is only one place for the taking.
Hong Kong started a positive start with the bat and scored 38 points in their first four overs. Zeeshan Ali (23 out of 17) was the first wicket that fell. Wanindu Hasaranga skipped in his second to dismiss Babar Hayat (4 out of 10). A 12-run 12th over meant that Hong Kong was placed on 84/2. Anshuman Rath Golde to the field player in Deep Mid-Wicket to miss his half century with a few runs.
Dasun Shanaka was introduced for the sole at the FAG end of the innings. He only gave up five points in his only one and also picked up a crucial wicket. For Hong Kong, Nizakat Khan Remained undefeated at 52 out of 38 balls. He only became the second player from the country to register for half a century in the history of Asia Cup, after Babar Hayat. Dushantha Chameera picked up a few wickets in his four-over quota.
Ayush Shukla came back well to fire Kusal Mendis (11 out of 14) after a bit of a tap in his second. The Yasim Murtaza team did pretty well to limit the Lankans to just 35 at the end of the powerplay. Aizaz Khan rejected Kamil Mishara (19 out of 18) in his first. Pathum Nissanka transferred his 17th half century to the first ball of the 13th.
The complexion of the match changed when skipper Murtaza only allowed four runs to his third over which the outlines of Nissanka (68 out of 44) and the LBW of Kusal Perera (20 out of 16) included back-to-back deliveries. The boundaries of Hasaranga and Shanaka in the 18th meant that they only needed nine in a few overs. The finish line was finally exceeded without further hiccups.
Who said what?
Pathum Nissanka (player of the game)
It was not an easy pitch [to bat on]. Hong Kong bowed well, but my plan was to drag the innings deep. Happy with the way I am beating.
Yasim Murtaza (losing captain)
To be honest, I am proud of the way the boys got up today. We missed a few chances. In the end, the bowlers was good as they fought. We were looking for 150-160. We dropped a few catches and that cost us the game. The positive thing is to play on the big stage. Dream comes out. As soon as we go back, we will work on few things.
Charith Asalanka (winning captain)
The heart was in the mouth. Disappointed about a few things; First three overs bowling. Then with the bat, in the 16th, we lost a few wickets, including mine [in the 17th over]. Consistently, these things cannot even happen in the shorter formats. The honor of them, they hit well. There is pressure on each side.
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